Saturday, August 7, 2010

Arrived this week in Ohio for the big family reunion. I've found Ohio is s strange place to take a vacation when EVERY SINGLE PERSON who asked where I was going for my vacation, then asked the SAME EXACT section question when I told them Ohio...That question was, of course, Why?!

I'm sorry to any Ohioans (Ohio-ians?) who take offense to such a reaction...but c'mon...I thought the same thing...until I realized the Ohio State fair would be about 20 minutes from our hotel.

This is one of the reasons I was looking forward to the State Fair...

But the culinary delights were hardly the main impetus...THAT would be DEVO...and they were playing the fair the night we arrived...well of course I was going.

I've never seen Devo...surprising as I love 'em...and this was a homestate gig. I couldn't think of a better way to start my vacation! So back to fate...

So my younger sister and I hit up the free nightly two hour cocktail hour at the hotel (Tip to the traveller...Embassy Suites RULES!!) and headed over...got to the fair and found the building Devo was playing in...it was about 8pm...

Saw a sign that said go to Box Office to buy tix (which were $30)...but that appeared to be at the other end of the building...so there was, what we found to be, an enterprising fella working the door we walked up to. We asked if we could still buy tickets.

There was someone right behind us, so he said...hold on one minute...checks them and lets them in...

Then does the lean in and whispers "drop 10 bucks a piece in the bag over there and go grab a seat in the bleachers!" I gave him the "really!" raised eyebrow to make sure I heard right...affirmed...dropped and we're in...NICE...

We walk in...grab a seat and the lights drop and show starts! 8:09 pm...as I said...this was fated...I totally thought we could have walked around til 9 with no prob...but the concert gods were smiling on moi this night...

So...the show was INCREDIBLE...I mean I knew I would enjoy it...but goddamn it was so much fun! Devo have amazing synced video with every song...they do costume changes...they throw stuff into the audience (oh yeah...the pyramid hats were a flying - they're blue these days instead of the famous red.)

Of course the songs are just great catchy pop/rock...everyone was singing...dancing...just a great time.

I left thinking I could have brought anyone to this show and I'm pretty damn sure they would have left as happy as me!

So that's the review kids...but here's the setlist as well as some photos I took...I'm glad I got to cross Devo off my must see concert list, but I'll most definitely be looking for them to come back around...and if I know you...I'll probably be asking you to come along...you won't regret it!

Don't Shoot

Peek-A-BooWhat We DoGoin' UnderFreshThat's GoodGirl U WantWhip ItPlanet Earth Satisfaction (This version of the Rolling Stones song was quite different from their already very different version of the Rolling Stones song...this had an almost reggae feel to it)Secret Agent ManUncontrollable Urge MongoloidJocko HomoSmart Patrol / Mr. DNA Gates of Steel--encore--Freedom of Choice Beautiful World (with Booji Boy)Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - Columbus, OH - Ohio State Fairgrounds, 80 minutes

Monday, July 26, 2010

I'm on OKCupid...in this day and age, what single guy isn't (unless you're religious...then you might be on match.com)...and I was just yesterday explaining a serious dilemma to a good friend of mine...that I get REALLY good matches...but they all tend to be 68 to 72 miles away based in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

So when this topic came up yesterday, my friend of mine worried that I might leave the Poughkeepsie area to go to live in Brooklyn where evidently women who desire a man such as I (it shocks me that ALL don't) thrive...but I said nay...NAY...I will ride it out (and hell...I know there's a gal locally who somewhat digs me...and I HAVE to see how that works out at least)

But tonight showed another reason why I so love Po-town...where else can you see a show...walk to your car in the parking lot and have a gang of enterprising youths offer you a "Touch Screen Phone" for an extreme bargain rate...I didn't buy a T-Shirt...so let me tell you...I was tempted (as a cool souvenir of course)...but I passed

But dammit...it's things like this that make me realize Poughkeepsie IS a town to call home!

Oh wait...concert review...sorry...

So...I SO almost didn't go to this gig...

The website said it started at 6:30...nice...because when you go to any sorta metal show at the Chance, you know you have to sit through AT LEAST 4 opening bands...so I'm thinking the main band comes on 9-ish...I can deal

The main band? Adler's Appetite...as in Steven Adler, original drummer for Guns n Roses/star of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Playing all GnR classics...why not!

So back to the timing...it turns out, after a call to the Chance, the band is not hitting the stage until 10:30...good god...I have to get up for work early in the morn...I'm thinking skip it

But, life does it's own things, and I end up showing up at the Chance around 9:40 or so...what the hell...I'll be in bed by midnight...right?!

I hear a Quiet Riot cover as I go in...don't know the band who played it...but it was alright...they go off

The next band setup begins...and setup goes on...and on...oh no...10:30 for Adler was a lie

So the next band hits the stage around 10:10...they should have been called "I wish we were Nickelback"...because...well...they did

They were called Anchored...from Texas...they do 35 minutes of cock rock...some okay...some crap (and a pretty dead on cover of "Crazy Bitch")...they leave...

The bell tolls eleven...

Adler's Appetite!

So basically my thoughts are...glorified tribute band (but with some veterans of the scene...Alex Masi on Guitar...Chips Enuff of Enuff Z'Nuff on Bass...meaningless names if you weren't a reader of Hit Parader in the 80's)...but holy crap gang...they were tight and they ROCKED!

Now I got to see the original Guns n Roses a few times...and they were always amazing...I thought this would simply be a hang out with my buddy decent show...but Steven put together a band that delivers!

They opened with "Wreckless Life" from the Live Like A @$ Suicide EP...NICE...a total fave that I never got to see GnR do...then Right into the classics

The set was basically 75% of "Appetite for Destruction" (let's see they didn't do You're Crazy, Anything Goes...maybe one other)...They did Civil War...the GnR version of "knockin On Heaven's Door"...all just dead on great (Including an unrealesed new song...it was really good)!

If you watched Celebrity Rehab, you, like me, probably wondered if Steven could possibly still drum...but dammit...he can! And he was so happy and smiling through out the set...it was infectious!

So it's 1:00am now...I still have to get up for work tomorrow...I'm gonna just say, if this tour hits your town...GO (if you like GnR)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

I've been going to concerts for about 25 years now...seen in the area of 1000...had opportunities, (including actually winning tix to see Ringo at this very venue two years ago - but they couldn't make it over the Canadian border and had to cancel - Ringo apologized to all those who showed up two summers ago to find themselves Beatle-less) so this summer seemed right.

I also thought...what a great first concert this would be to bring my niece Abigail to. So it was settled.

As the show approached, I asked an awesome friend of mine if she and her son would like to go to...not only was there a yes, but her cool 12 year old son actually knew the name of Ringo's newest album ("Y Not") which easily 99% of the attendees at the show had never heard of (Ringo actually joked about this and seems to take it all in stride...he knows what the people want). So it was going to be an extra cool time until an ER/ICU stay put a top to that this week...so while I was quite bummed they could not attend, I did hear right before typing this that he is being moved out of ICU today...so we will have other concert adventures this summer for sure...

So the show...Saturday morning was BEAUTIFUL sunny and clear sky...until we hit the road in the late afternoon and it became majorly overcast...The 75 minute drive had us hitting a few light showers...luckily, overall, the rain was not an issue...there was very light drizzle here and there through out the show (actually starting the exact moment Ringo and band hit the stage precisely at 8pm - but quickly dissipating). Other than that, a great night for lawn seats at Bethel (of course, home of the Original Woodstock festival).

If you're wondering if the Beatles fans came out...this painted bus, parked 15 feet from us, should give an idea of the average attendee

So this was Ringo's 11th All Starr Band tour where he takes some musicians who each have a couple of hits...they all play the whole show together mixing all their hits up in one setlist...it's an excellent format and was very enjoyable...you literally know every song just about (Ringo threw in a couple of new ones, but they're so damn catchy that it seems as if they're old faves.)

As I said the show started precisely at 8pm (no opening act) and the band made up of Ringo, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright, Richard Page of Mister Mister, Wally Palman of The Romantics and drummer Gregg Bissonette (who I previously only knew from David Lee Roth's solo band in the 80's when he left Van Halen) came out playing "It Don't Come Easy." The song I was looking forward to hearing more than any other all night! Rock On Ringo!

Ringo stood at the mic and led the band through two more - Carl Perkins' "Honey Don't" and "Choose Love" - the title track of his 2005 Solo Album.

Ringo then introduces guitarist Rick Derringer who busted out his official Ohio state song "Hang On Sloopy" recorded 45 years ago(!) with his band at the time, The McCoys. It makes you realize how many CENTURIES of Musicianship are on the stage tonight (Ringo will be 70 next week - and let me tell you, that fella is in amazing voice and shape...he's was doing jumping jacks during the end of the show that tired me just watching!)

The crowd loves the singalong and Rick then introduces the VIP (In my not at all humble opinion) of the night - Edgar Winter. Edgar and Rick are so key to this band, especially Edgar with not only his own songs, but his keyboards and sax throughout the set. So Edgar lays out the crowd with "Free Ride." Such a great summer song (and always reminds me of the great film "Dazed and Confused" every time I hear it.)

Edgar then introduces Wally Palman of the Romantics. Wally, to my ears, is the let down of the night...I saw the Romantics about 7 years ago At Little Steven's Garagefest and they were okay...about the same here - just so so. We get the huge early 80's hit "Talking In Your Sleep", but his voice is very different than it was back in the day - It's still a toe tapper, but just doesn't have the original sound that all the other players tonight have kept. Edgar though, kills a mean sax solo in the middle that really saves the song for me...so fair enough.

Oh here's a picture of the stage...

So Wally says he wants to re-introduce his favorite drummer doing a song from his favorite band and Ringo comes back to the mic to rock out the Beatles classic "I Wanna Be Your Man" - Great Stuff!

Ringo then introduces Gary Wright who tells a story of his friend George Harrison and how George introduced him to Mid Eastern religion and philosophy from which he got the name for his biggest hit - "Dream Weaver" which he played. This was my chance for beer run and t-shirt run...If you like the song...it sounded great...I just have to say I've never liked this song...

It's about 8:45 at this point and I go to the beer tent and they tell me they've stopped selling beer?!?! Holy Shit Kids...wha???

But I go to another one where I spy a fella being handed a brew...I ask if they're still selling and they say yes...until 9:05...phew! I'll take TWO Shock Tops then please (I figured the show would be over by 10 anyway...but c'mon...they should give some warning!)

So Gary ends his tune - and the crowd loved it - and Richard Page is introduced and plays the Mr. Mister hit "Kyrie" which I've always loved...sounds great!

Ringo is back on mic and introduces a song off his new album called "The Other Side of Liverpool"...I have to say I get a kick out of the fact that the three recent solo songs Ringo played at this concert all have either Peace, Love or Liverpool in the title...Ringo knows the lyrical fields he plays well in for sure.

This leads into one of the big sing-alongs of the night "Yellow Submarine". I actually thought Ringo seemed bored playing this one - somewhat understandably considering he's had to do it for so long...but it was the only time I got that vibe from him or the band all night.

Next up a huge highlight...Edgar Winter does "Frankenstein!" Just awesome and funky and rockin...a nice long version and everyone is diggin it!

My niece by the way was rockin out to this one...her she is doing a whirling dervish while possessed by the music...

Ringo is back and does another song from his latest called "Peace Dream"....followed by 1972's "Back Off Boogaloo"

Now the show goes into overdrive...let's rock the hits...We get the other hit by the Romantics "What I like About You" (I dig it)...Rick Derringer's "Rock n Roll Hoochie Coo" (including a 3 or 4 minutes guitar solo - not within the song....a full on the rest of the band takes a break and Rick does a guitar solo - very 80's hairband-ish...but what the hell - it was a quickie)

Ringo back with "Boys" from his pre-Beatles days with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, then Gary Wright, who I forgot had another hit in 1976, with "Love Is Alive"

We get the other Mr. Mister hit at this point "Broken Wings" and then it's all Ringo.

And that is it...10pm...2 hours....no encore breaks - which comes as a bit of a suprise as some wonder where is "Octopus' Garden" and "You're Sixteen" which seem like HUGE setlist leave-outs. (not to mention "No No Song" "Oh My My" or "Only You" which were all top ten hits in the 70's...)

So there was a little grumbling in the crowd....but it was a nice solid two hours show...If he tours again next summer - I'll be there Mr. Starkey